Riding with a cause: team member helps grant dying veteran’s last wish

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Riding with a cause: team member helps grant dying veteran’s last wish
Biker group throws party to uplift terminally-ill man’s spirits

By Ty Morrison, Corporate Communications
When the San Antonio Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) read about a dying veteran’s wish on Facebook, they went above the call of duty to make it happen.
Team member Don Belken is a member of that group and did not hesitate to join his comrades. The group learned that Lee Hernandez, a 47-year-old veteran in New Braunfels, was under hospice care for a rare disease that doctors were unable to pinpoint. According to his wife, Hernandez had 10 strokes back-to-back and went through several brain surgeries. And from there on, his heart has continued to release blood clots. This unknown disease has left Hernandez blind and disabled. Feeling lonely, one of his last wishes was to talk to people on his cell phone.

After seeing the Facebook post, the PGR group decided to pay Hernandez a visit instead. They put out a call to members at 10 one evening and by eight the next morning Belken along with 18 members were on their motorcycles headed to New Braunfels to see Hernandez. They decided to throw Hernandez a party with plenty of bbq and presented him with a signed PGR flag. The look of happiness on Hernandez’s face was priceless.

PGR is a group of motorcycle riders who have a strong desire to honor those that are serving or have served in the military. When invited by family, they attend funerals and interments, participate in standing a flag line, and provide a barrier between the family and any person or group which might show up to disrupt these solemn services. The group also participates in numerous parades, festivals, and gatherings, honoring active military members and veterans.

Belken joined the group two years ago. “It was a pleasure to meet with Lee and his family,” he said. “As a group we’re passionate about making sure that our veterans are honored. I’m very thankful to work for a company like Wells Fargo that it encourages its team members to get out in the community and serve. Thanks to Wells Fargo’s community service time coupled with PTO, I’ve been able to attend 17 honor missions and log 97 hours of community service this year with the Patriot Guard Riders. That’s not something that companies offer every day.”